Cancer is a malignant growth or tumor. This can occur anywhere in the body. In most cases it is a carcinoma. Resembling a carcinoma is a carcinoid. This is a tumor that produces hormone-like substances and often occurs in the lung or gastrointestinal tract. When this cancer spreads to, for example, the liver, complaints arise that we call carcinoid syndrome. Watery diarrhea and the development of flushes (hot flashes) are common complaints. Cure is not always possible, but life expectancy is longer than with many other forms of cancer.
Malignant tumor
A carcinoid or carcinoid tumor is a malignant growth, also called cancer. Malignant means that the tumor cells grow unchecked and can spread. These metastases end up elsewhere in the body. This is a rare form of cancer.
Where does it occur?
Cancer is often referred to as carcinoma. This is a malignant growth consisting of covering tissue cells. When this occurs in the lungs we speak of lung cancer, in the intestines of colon cancer and in the breast of breast cancer. But a carcinoid is a neuroendocrine tumor. This is a tumor that produces hormone-like substances. Carcinoids most often occur in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract. They can also arise elsewhere in the body.
Causes
The cause of some forms of cancer is clear. In carcinoids the cause is unknown. In a small number of cases it is a hereditary predisposition, but this is the case in only 1 percent of all cases. In all other cases the cause remains unknown.
Symptoms
A carcinoid causes carcinoid syndrome. The small tumors produce substances that are hormone-like. A common substance we encounter is serotonin. This is a neurotransmitter that affects appetite, sleep, emotion and mood. The tumor also produces histamine, a substance that functions, among other things, as a neurotransmitter of the central nervous system. The tumor also produces prostaglandin and a number of other substances.
The substances released can cause diarrhea. Flushes can also occur. This is the phenomenon where the skin becomes red and warm to the touch. It is caused by the released substances dilating the blood vessels. Migraines or asthma may develop. Nausea with vomiting is also common. After a while, abdominal pain often occurs. When these complaints occur after eating, the tumor presses on the blood vessels in the intestines and thus obstructs blood flow. Complaints of abdominal pain can also be caused by connective tissue formation. This happens under the influence of large amounts of released hormones. In addition, connective tissue formation can occur in the heart. This causes damage to the heart, ultimately resulting in heart failure.
Stress, tension and certain foods such as red wine and French cheese can aggravate or provoke the complaints. The complaints do not always occur. Symptoms will occur sooner if metastases occur. Sometimes there are no complaints at all for a long time or only a blockage in the intestine. Because it can take a long time for metastases to occur, symptoms can also remain absent for a very long time.
Carcinoid crisis
The carcinoid crisis is life-threatening. This involves a prolonged attack of flushes. Drowsiness and watery diarrhea occur. The blood pressure is not normal and the heart shows arrhythmias. If this situation worsens or continues for a long time, it will be fatal.
Neuroendocrine tumors
A carcinoid is a neuroendocrine tumor (NET tumor) grade 1 or 2. Not all neuroendocrine tumors are carcinoids, but a carcinoid is always a NET tumor. In most cases, a carcinoid is a grade 1 NET tumor: a slowly growing tumor. A grade 2 tumor grows slightly faster.
Treatment and life expectancy
The diagnosis is made through examination. A urine test can show the presence of certain hormones. A CT scan can show a possible metastasis. An ultrasound can also be made.
Treatment is often done by surgically removing the tumors. This is often difficult in the case of metastases, but surgical intervention can still be chosen. The more carcinoids are removed, the less extra hormone substances are produced. However, new tumors can quickly develop again when metastases occur. These will also start producing hormone-like substances.
In addition, symptomatic treatment will take place. The diarrhea must certainly be combated, because it causes dehydration. Medicines are prescribed for this. Other medications can also help against flushes, for example. The doctor’s goal is to initially cure the disease and, if this is not possible, to make it as bearable as possible.
Life expectancy depends on the location of the tumor and whether it has spread. Often metastases are already present when the tumor is discovered. This form of cancer grows slowly, so life expectancy is longer than other forms. Life expectancy is best with a carcinoid in the appendix. The appendix can easily be removed, including the tumor, but it is also easily accessible for surgical intervention.
